E-Paper
UP’s Power workers strike: Withhold month’s salary/pension of 28 Sangharsh Samiti members: HC
The HC bench of justice Pritinker Diwaker and justice SD Singh passed the order while hearing an application moved in connection with the Public Interest Litigation by advocate Vibhu Rai, after power employees went on strike
The Allahabad high court has directed the government to withhold one month salary/pension of 28 office-bearers of Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti (union) which had called for a strike last week.
The HC bench of justice Pritinker Diwaker and justice SD Singh passed the order while hearing an application moved in connection with the Public Interest Litigation by advocate Vibhu Rai, after power employees went on strike. The court fixed April 24 as the next date of hearing in the case. The court said: “It may serve as a token warning to them and others who may be intending to embarrass or outrun the rule of law. However, no final opinion as to confiscation of that amount, (thus withheld), has been formed. That may be done only after exchange of affidavits and after hearing the party concerned.”
The court cautioned power employees to remain mindful of any such act (strike) in future that may force the court to take stern action against all those involved.
The court directed the state government to file an affidavit to categorise the areas and sectors where losses may have occurred due to the strike and to offer a fair estimation of the same based on objective assessment.
The court said: “It (U.P. government) may also bring on record details of all employee unions and individuals who may have collaborated with the noticed non-petitioners (office bearers of body which called strike) in the conduct of the illegal strike. Those may then be also held responsible for the losses after due opportunity.”
On issue of strike by department staff, the court observed: “As a result of such callous conduct orchestrated by the Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti vast disruptions were caused involving serious difficulties faced by citizens and others to maintain essential services like running of hospitals, petrol pumps, institutions, businesses and banking, besides sudden difficulties to students preparing and appearing in various examinations.”
“Repeat actions will invite consequences in law. Innocent citizens cannot be inconvenienced and functioning of various essential institutions such as hospitals, banks etc. cannot be disrupted. However, this order may not hinder any discussions, meetings and negotiations between the employee unions on one hand and their employees and government on the other. Those may go on as before,” the court added.
On March 17, the Allahabad high court had initiated contempt proceedings against power employee’s union leaders and issued bailable warrant against them for going on strike despite a previous order of the court for not disrupting the power supply. The court had also directed the power employee’s union leaders to appear before it.
